Compressor



Nov. 9, 1948. P. KQLLSMAN I 2,453,374

COMPRES SOR Filed Aug. 28, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Pam; KnlLs'man,

ATTORNEY P. KoLLMAN Nov; 9, 1948.

COMPRESSOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1944 INVEN TOR. Paul lfallsman,

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 9, 1948 U NITED S TAT ES. PATE N T' OFFICE 2,453,314 r k v COMPRESSOR Paul Kollsman, New York, N. Y.

Application August 28, 1944, Serial No. 551,510

. 17 Claims.

This invention relates to rotary, liquid piston machines, and more particularly to rotary compressors using liquid as the compressing medium.

The structural features of the machine h'erein disclosed, other than the arrangement of the compression chamber and the elements therein, are described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 551,509, entitled Compressor, filed August 28, 1944.

One object of the invention is to providein a rotary compressor or otherfmachine using liquid as the compressing mediummeans for controlling the flow of liquid into the compression chamber so as to prevent the trapping of gas pockets by the compressing liquidand to insure the complete evacuation of the compressed gas from the chamber.

Another object of the inventionis. to provide a rotary compressor or other machine usingliquid as the compressing medium with ,means providing for improved transfer of heat from the compressed gases so as t'o lower the temperature increase due to the compressing operation. Other objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification and appended drawing illustrating certain jpreferred embodiments in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a compressor according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view showing a compression chamber and the movementof the compressing liquid thereinto without the modifying means of the present invention. p Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view'of the compression chamber showing one form ofth'e invention. l 1 a a Figure 4 is a-partial plane view of the compression chamber of Figure 3; 1

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of a'modified form of compression chamber according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a partial top plan view pression chamber of Figure '5. 1 l

' Figure 7 is a detailed-sectional View of a compression chamber according to a further modification of theinvention.

' The compressor-as specifically illustrated comof the comprises a bed plate I upon which-are mounted supports 2 and 3. Within the support 3-is mounted the bearing support 4 having an exterior cylindrical surface and an interior'cylindrical bore :5 on.an eccentric. axis. Within the bore 5 on the rollersbearing indicated at Sis rotatably supill) 2 ported a drive :shaft 1. The interiorcend orthe shaft 1 is also'rotatably connected by .a roller bearing .8 to a stationary structure .9. mountedin the support 2 and containing the compressor out.- let. H and intake andoutlet chambers 12 and [35. This connection properly a1igns the chamber and rotor surfaces. On the shaft 1 is mounted a rotor l4 having a cylindrical periphery in which are formed a plurality of relatively large pockets or compression chambers [5. Each' of the chambers lill has in its base an opening .16 which coopcrates with the inlet ports I"! in the wall of the inlet chamber 12 and with the outlet ports I8 in the Wall of the outlet chamberl3 for the intake and delivery of the air or other gas to be compressed. 1

.L On the exterior of the bearing support 4 by means of roller bearings 3| is mounted an exterior rotor :32 .onan axis eccentric with the axis of the shaft 1 and with the interior surface of the rotor-i2 having only mechanical clearance from :the periphery of the .rotor M at their nearest surfaces. The rotor 32 has a cup portion 33 about the chambers 15 and an integral elongated cylindrical portion 34 carrying the seats of the bearings .3l. The .cup portion 33 of the rotor 32 is, closed by an end plate35'. On the plate 35 is imounted an annulus .36 forming a well or trap .31 within which. any compressor liquid which escapes from the cup33 will be caughtby cenitrifugal force and returned. A liquid source indicated at 39 is provided to replace the water or other compressor liquid lost in the operation .ofathemachine. Y

1 The-compressor is illustrated in Figure 1 under operating conditions in which the water or other :operating liquid is maintained in the position :shown'iby centrifugal force. As the rotor I is :driven, theidler rotor '32 :will rotate therewith withonly negligible slip. The compressing liquid -willalternately enter and leave the chambers l5 depending uponth'e chamber position with respect to the eccentricity of the rollers. In this movement of thecompressing liquid it functions jasaipiston in drawing in and compressing and expelling'the gas.

- .Figures'l, 3 and 4' illustrate the preferred embodiment of the compression chamber according toapplicants invention. ,In the chamber are disposed'a. large number of fine but relatively rigid wires or rods 4| extending radially from the base ofthe chamber. and adjacent to the chamber base a redisposeda number of similar but shorter wires or rods. The function of the wires or rods and" is two-fold. First, to control'the shape of the surface of the entering liquid and secondly, to provide for the absorption of heat from the compressed gases so that an approach toward isothermal compression is made. From the standpoint of heat transfer, it is desirable to have as many pins or rods as possible and therefore a maximum surface area for heat transfer. However, the more surface area engaged by the liquid the less is the efficiency due to the frictional losses. Hence, the number selected will be determined by the relative desirability or undesirability of these two factors. Furthermore; the density of the gas is less adjacent the periphery of the chamber and also the volume of liquid to be moved past this point is greater than adjacent the base of the pocket; accordingly, it is desired to use a larger number of the pins or rods adja-' cent the base because of the increased density of the gas from which heat is to be absorbed and the lessened water stroke which reduces frictional losses. While only two stages have been shown in Figures 1 and 3, it will, of course, be understood that the greater the number of stages or even a continuously increasing number of pins or rods is theoretically the most desirable construction.

The second function of the pins or rodsv 4| and 42 will be explained after a discussion of the open chamber of Figure 2. The opening I6 is disposed at the trailing Wall of the compression chamber as this is the optimum position for the expelling of'the compressed gas, but if the chamber is large and unobstructed, the entering liquid, progressively assuming the levels shown by the broken linesv in Figure 2, will seal oif the outlet opening while trapping a part of the gas within the chamber with consequent lowering in delivery, and efiiciency of the compressor. It is believed that this movement of the" liquid occurs because as it is moved to a smaller radius it will have a higher velocity than the chamber at that radius and will accordingly tend to build up on the leading wall of the compressionichamber. As indicated in Figure 2, when the entering liquid reaches the position shown by the brokenline 43, it will have sealed off the outlet opening l6 and will have trapped within the compression chamber the gas remaining between this liquid level and the trailing wall of the chamber. Thereafter any further compressor actionwill result only in spilling over of the compressing liquid while the pocket of gas is trapped within the chamber. 1

The pins or rods 4! and 42 whilethey have little resistance to longitudinal movement of the liquid will have a relatively large resistance to the transverse movement thereof and will smooth out the advancing waveform of the entering liquid into the levels indicated by the broken lines ofFigure 3 wherein it is seen that the liquid level approaches the outlet opening l6 relatively symmetrically and reaches the outlet. only after all of the gas within the chamber has been evacuated through the outletopening.

In the modification of the invention'illustrated in Figure 5, a similar control of the advancing wave form of the entering liquid is obtainedby the use of thetransverse rods 44 disposed adjacent the leading wall of the compression chamber where .they'resistthe normal movement of the higher speed liquid and slow up its movement inwardly of the leading wall. The resulting advancing wave form of the entering liquid is shown in the broken line constructionwherein it isseen that again the liquid reaches the outlet opening only after the compressed gas has been entirely expelled from the chamber. The transverse ribs 45 are provided to secure a better grip upon the compressing liquid and insure its rotation with the inner rotor without undesirable slip.

Figure '7 shows a further modification of the invention in which there is provided in the compression chamber, adjacent the outlet IS, a, screen or similar obstruction 46' oifering a relatively high resistance to the passage of the liquid therethrough. In this modification the liquid entering the compression chamber will have substantially the same wave form as the entering liquid of Figure 2 until it reaches the screen 46. The liquid advancing along the chamber base toward the outlet opening will be slowed up in its movement to permit the more rapid relative move.- ment of the liquid along the trailing wall of the chamber so that again the liquid enters the outlet opening only after the compressed gas has been expelled and the trappin of a gas pocket within the chamber is avoided. Since the screen 46 is located close to theoutlet opening lBonly a small volume of liquid passes therethrough and the frictional loss is low.

While the invention has been specifically illustrated in connection with a gas compressor, it will, of course, be obvious that various features thereof are applicable to engines and other forms of liquid piston machinery and,' while certain preferred embodiments of .the' invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto'as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What is .claimed is;

1. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion, for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor insai'd portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having apluralityof open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, a discharge opening for each of said chambers in the base thereof adjacent'tothe trailin wall, and means for impeding the travel of the compressing liquid adjacenttothe leading wall only of the chamber to provide for the expelling of all of the gas from the chamberbefore, the com.- pressing liquid seals the discharge opening. 2. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having anannular portion-for the reception of a compressin liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion; an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality. of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for drivingsaid rotorsto effect rotation thereof, and a plurality of radially extendin elements within said chamberspresentingsurfaces for the absorption of heat from'the gas therein, the area of said surfaces varying radially of said chamber and being greatest adjacent the outlet opening where the gas density is greatest, andthe liquid travel least. 1 1

3. In a rotary-,rliquid piston. machine, an exterior rotor having aniannular portion for .the reception of a compressing liquid-a compressing liquidin said. portion, an interionrotor vin said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, and a plurality of radially extending rods disposed Within said chambers.

'4'. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inletand outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, an opening in a wall of each of said chambers through which gas is discharged, anda plurality of radially extending rods disposed within said chambers, said rods affording surfaces for absorption'of heat from the compressed gages and preventing relatively slight resistance to the radial flow of the compressing liquid.

5. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axisof said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, an opening in a wall of each of said chambers" through which gas is discharged, and a plurality of radially extending rods disposed within said chambers, said rods affording surfaces for absorption of heat from the compressed gases and presenting relatively slight resistance to the radial flow of the compressing liquid but presenting substantial resistance to the transverse flow of the liquid to equalize its approach to the discharge opening.

6. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion'mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors'to effect rotation thereof, gas discharge openings in the bases of said chambers and remote from the leading walls thereof, and means disposed adjacent the leading walls only of the chambers to impede the flow of compressing liquid thereat to equalize the approach of the liquid to the passage openings.

7. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, gas discharge openings in the bases of said chambers remote from the leading walls thereof, and transverse elements located in said chamber adjacent to the leading wall only thereof and serving to impede the travel of the compressing liquid thereat.

8. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid iii-said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on" an axis eccentric'to the axis of said exterior rotor and having auplurali ty of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and-outlet'ports'ior said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation'thereof, openings in the bases of said chambersthrough' which gas is discharged, and ba'ffling means disposed immediately adjacent to said discharge openings-and offering an appreciable resistance to the flow of the compressing. liquid therethrough toward the openings whereby to-substantiall y equalize the approach of th'liquid to the opening.

9. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having arr-annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said-portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to theaxis of said exterior rotor and havingapluralitypf open chambersabout the periphery thereof, "gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effectrotation thereof, openings in the bases of said chambers through which gasis discharged, and screens covering the approaches to said discharge openings at a short distance therefrom and ofieringsufli'cient resistance to the flow of the compressing liquid therethrough to substantially equalize the approach of the liquid to the openings.

10. In a rotary, liquid'piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, and means immediately adjacent to at least certain of. the walls of said chambers] permitting circumferential movement of the compressingv liquid thereby While impeding such movement to slow up the more rapidly moving portions of the liquid to prevent sealing off of gas pockets within the chambers; 1

11. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and havinga plurality of open chambers aboutthe periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, discharge openings in said chambers, and means immediately adjacent to walls in said chambers on the leading sides of said discharge openings permitting circumferential movement of the compressing liquid thereby while impeding such movement to slow up the more rapidly moving portions of the liquid to prevent sealing off of gas pockets within the chambers.

12. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, discharge openings in said chambers, means immediately adjacent to walls of said chambers on the leading sides of said discharge openings permitting circumferential movement of the compressing liquid thereby while impeding such movement to slow up the more rapidly moving portion of the liquid, said last mentioned means extending for at least the projected length of the discharge opening to impede the circumferential approach of compressing liquid thereto.

13. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquidin said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, andmeans at least adjacent to the bottoms of said chambers permitting circumferential movement of the compressing liquid thereby while impeding such movement to slow up the more rapidly moving portions of the liquid to prevent sealing off of the gas pockets within the chambers.

14. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the I reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas

inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to efiect rotation thereof, discharge openings in said chambers, and means adjacent to the bottoms of said chambers on the leading side of said discharge openings permitting circumferential movement of the compressing liquid thereby while impeding such movement to slow up the more rapidly moving portions of the liquid to prevent sealing off of gas pockets within the chambers.

15. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the aXis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, and elements in said chambers permitting circurnferential movement of the compressing liquid thereby substantially throughout their length while impeding such movement to slow up the more rapidly moving portions of the liquid to prevent sealing off ofgas pockets within .the chambers.

16. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, an exterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof,

gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers,

means .for driving said rotors to effect rotation thereof, and rod like elements extending radially of said chambers and permitting circumferential movement of the compressing liquid while impeding such movement to slow up the more rapidly moving portions of the liquid to prevent sealing off of gas pockets within the chambers.

17. In a rotary, liquid piston machine, anexterior rotor having an annular portion for the reception of a compressing liquid, a compressing liquid in said portion, an interior rotor in said portion mounted on an axis eccentric to the axis of said exterior rotor and having a plurality of open chambers about the periphery thereof, gas inlet and outlet ports for said chambers, means for driving said rotors to eifect rotation thereof, an opening in the base of each of said chambers through which gas isv discharged, and a plurality of radially extending rods of diflerent lengths Within said chambers, said rods affording-surfaces for the absorption of heat from the compressed gases and presenting relatively slightly resistance to the radial flow of compressing liquid but presenting substantial resistance to the transverse flow of the liquid to equalize its approach to the discharge openings, the different lengths of the rods increasing the heat transfer surfaces adjacent the discharge openings where the gas density is greatest.

PAUL KOLLSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this pa-tent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 953,222 Nash Mar. 29, 1910 1,038,769 Lehne Sept. 1'7, 1912 1,262,533 McFarlane Apr.'9, 1918 1,900,620 Stauber Mar. '7, 1933 1,924,421 Stauber Aug. 29, 1933 2,201,575 Corneil et al. May 21, 1940 

